Photos: Sergio Betancort
Very few seats were left free in the Víctor Fernández Gopar "El Salinero" Theater last Friday, February 14, since the absolute premiere of the play César, battle and fire, by the Lanzarote actor Pedro Ayose, was about to hang the sold out sign.
Nearly 500 people attended the theater, which is part of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, to enjoy this show, directed by José Martret, which was inspired by the words of César Manrique, through texts and articles written by the artist himself or from his statements and appearances in interviews or documentaries.
Conceived as a multidisciplinary work, in which theater and music are fused, but also dance and audiovisual projections, César, battle and fire takes a vital journey through the entire biography of Manrique, from his childhood to his stay in Madrid or New York, passing through his return to Lanzarote, with special emphasis on the most social, political and ecological speeches of the universal Lanzarote creator, those that "at that time no one dared to pronounce but him".
In addition to Pedro Ayose himself, the main actor and ideologist and creator of the project, the Lanzarote actress Dariam Coco, the singer Mónica Dorta and the actor and dancer, Roberto G. Alonso also took to the black box of El Salinero.
The artistic team, under the direction of José Martret, was completed by Other Lands, authors of the audiovisual image; Raquel Melián, responsible for the costumes; Jaisiel, author of the original music; Kley Kafé and Patrizzio Niccolai, responsible for makeup and hair; Teresa Díe, designer of the scenography; and Shelma Zebenzuí in the lighting design.
Among the public who attended the premiere last Friday, it is worth mentioning the president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, María Dolores Corujo; the vice president of the Corporation, Jacobo Medina, the mayor of Arrecife, Ástrid Pérez; and the Minister of Culture of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Alberto Aguiar.
This cultural activity is produced and organized by the Culture area of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, directed by the councilor Alberto Aguiar, and is part of the projects of the participatory call within the acts of the centenary of the birth of the artists organized by the Island Corporation.
